Detailed Introduction to the Latest Propagation Methods for Yulan Magnolia

Yulan magnolia, also known as Mulan, white yulan magnolia, etc., is a famous ornamental plant and traditional flower of the Magnolia genus in the Magnoliaceae family. It is native to various provinces in central China. It prefers warm and humid environments, is very sensitive to temperature, has a certain resistance to low temperatures, and can safely overwinter at -20C. Its propagation methods mainly include seed propagation, grafting propagation, cutting propagation and layering propagation, etc. Let's take a look together below!

Yulan Magnolia Seed Propagation

Yulan magnolia is best sown in autumn. When the seeds mature in September-October, sow them as soon as they are collected. The seeds can also be stored in sand until March-April of the following spring for sowing. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at about 50°C to remove the waxy layer on the outside of the seeds. To remove the waxy layer, you can either rub them with sand, or soak them in 0.5% alkaline water or plant ash water for 1-2 days. Sow in furrows in rows. Choose fertile sandy loam for the seedling bed. After sowing, cover with 2 cm of soil, water thoroughly, cover with grass, and keep the soil moist frequently. Generally, seedlings emerge after about 2 months. Shade is needed in summer, and protection against freezing is needed in winter. Divide and transplant after the soil thaws in the following spring.

Yulan Magnolia Grafting Propagation

Grafting propagation is the most commonly used method for propagating Yulan magnolia. It can not only maintain the quality of excellent varieties, but also allow flowering 2-3 years earlier than seedlings. When grafting, choose 2-3 year old Mulan seedlings as rootstock. Bud grafting is carried out in July-August, and cut grafting is carried out in autumn. After cut grafting, cover the scion entirely with soil, and remove the covering soil in late spring of the following year. Cut grafting can also be carried out in a greenhouse (in autumn or winter). After grafting, store in moist sand. After the graft union heals, transplant before sprouting in the following spring.

Yulan Magnolia Cutting Propagation

Because Yulan magnolia cuttings do not root easily and have a low survival rate, this propagation method is generally rarely used. However, if before cutting the base of the cuttings is dipped in rooting powder or soaked in a 25ppm naphthalene acetic acid solution for 20 hours, rooting can be promoted and the survival rate improved. Take cuttings in June-July. Collect 1-year-old branches from a white yulan magnolia mother plant as cuttings. The cuttings should be 15 cm long, retain 2 leaves at the upper end, and cut off 1/3-1/2 of the leaf surface of each leaf. After cutting, pay attention to shading and watering, and keep the soil moist frequently.

Yulan Magnolia Layering Propagation

Yulan magnolia layering propagation is also a relatively commonly used propagation method, mainly divided into ordinary layering and air layering.

1. Ordinary layering: Ordinary layering is best carried out in February-March. Cut halfway into the base of the branch to be layered, then cut upward a section, insert a tile in the middle, then gently press it into the soil without breaking it. Insert a U-shaped thick iron wire into the soil to fix it and prevent it from lifting, then pile soil on top. For spring layering, once root buds appear, it can be cut off and planted separately.

2. Air layering: Before the dog days, select strong and disease-free young branches (1.5-2 cm in diameter) on the mother plant, cut a crack below the fork, then cover with a bamboo tube or bottomless clay pot, fill it with culture soil, tie it tightly outside with fine rope, be careful not to disturb it, spray a small amount of water frequently to keep it moist. New roots can grow around May of the following year, then remove and plant in place.